Character of an algebra
= Character of an algebra
= Characters of an algebra
{synonym}
= Algebra character
{synonym}
= Nonzero multiplicative linear functional
{synonym}
= Gelfand character
{c}
{synonym}
A character on a complex algebra is a nonzero multiplicative linear functional $\varphi:A\to\mathbb C$.
Algebra characters form the domain of the <Gelfand representation>; they are distinct from traces of group representations.